In adding a Quick Tip Week beginning Sunday, I wanted to slip in a register review. With an incredible visit at CVS on June 11, 2012, I decided to share how I snagged 10 items for 20¢. Yep! For less than a quarter, I restocked my cleaning supplies. Let me show you how I did it.
I had a total of $10.75 in Extra Bucks (store credit) due to expire on June 11, 2012. Needing to make a run, I checked the Sunday insert. I found a great deal on Irish Spring body washes on sale at 2 for $7 and get $4 in Extra Bucks when you purchase 2.
Since nothing else in the advertisement caught my attention, I turned to my rain checks which do not expire at CVS. I found three rain checks to boost my savings while stretching our dollars.
1. Scrubbing Bubbles: Purchase 4 at $3 each and receive $4 in Extra Bucks when you purchase $12.
2. Schick Shaving Gel: Buy one at the sale price of $2.79 and get a $1.80 Extra Buck.
3. Irish Spring: Purchase one at the sale price of $2.99 and receive a $1.99 Extra Buck.
After writing my list, planning my purchases, and gathering my coupons, I headed out to my CVS with my youngest daughter.
Finding the Merchandise
When we arrived, I scanned my CVS Extra Care Card at the red coupon machine. The machine spit out a series of coupons. I scanned again resulting in more coupons. On my third scan, I received the message to try back tomorrow for more coupons. (My card is now a special card since it works multiple times. 🙂 )
In looking over the new coupons, I found none to match with my planned purchases, so I placed them in my CVS envelope and began shopping. After discovering that my store’s stock was low and lacking creativity to adjust my list, I decided to leave. But I had to use my Extra Bucks, so we traveled to another CVS store.
This other CVS had everything in stock. So, we gathered our savings and went to checkout.
Transaction #1
- Greeted the cashier and explained I had 2 transactions and a total of 3 rain checks. (Cashiers appreciate knowing what you plan to do.)
- Handed cashier my Extra Care Card and my bag attached with my Green Bag Tag (which earns $1 in Extra Bucks for every 4th scan – only one scan allowed per day)
- Placed rain check and 4 Scrubbing Bubbles on the counter where he rang them up at $3 each.
- Placed rain check and 1 Schick Shaving Gel on the counter where he rang it up at $2.79.
Subtotal: $14.79 ($3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 2.79 = 14.79)
- Used manufacturer’s $2 off 2 Scrubbing Bubbles coupon
- Used manufacturer’s $2 off 2 Scrubbing Bubbles coupon
- Used $10 Extra Buck coupon (from Huggies promotion spend $25 and get $10 in Extra Bucks from a previous week)
- Used $.75 Extra Buck coupon (from a previous week’s candy promotion)
Total coupon discount: $14.75
Tax: $0
Total: $0.04 paid in cash 🙂 and received $4 Extra Bucks (from Scrubbing Bubbles rain check) and $2 Extra Bucks (from Schick rain check – rounded up from $1.80 to $2)
Transaction #2
- Smiled and watched the cashier scan my Extra Care Card that I put on the counter.
- Handed cashier my rain check and put both Irish Spring body washes on the counter. He rang the first one at $2.99 from the rain check and the second rang up on sale at $3.50 (2 for $7).
- Needing a filler item, I added 1 caramel single ($0.33) which did not bring the total up enough, so I added a second caramel single ($0.33).
NOTE: I could round down my Extra Bucks and lose the $.51, but I do not like to lose savings. So, I find a filler item(s) to bring my total up or a little past $0.
Subtotal: $7.15
- Used manufacturer’s $.50 off Irish Spring coupon
- Used manufacturer’s $.50 off Irish Spring coupon
- Used $4 Extra Buck coupon from transaction #1
- Used $2 Extra Buck coupon from transaction #1
Total coupon discount: $7.00
Tax: $.01
Total: $0.16 in cash 🙂 and received $4 Extra Bucks (from Irish Spring purchase 2 and get $4 in Extra Bucks) and $2 in Extra Bucks (from Irish Spring rain check rounded from $1.99 to $2)
For a total of $0.20, I purchased $21.94 of merchandise which is a savings of 99.0%, and I have $6 in Extra Bucks for a future savings trip.
In using time wisely to find items my family needs and pair those items with sales, rain checks, promotions, and coupons, I continue stretching our dollars. These savings are possible which is why I share them with you. Not every visit results in these deep discounts, but some do.
Be patient, wait for the sales, and combine as many savings strategies as you can when you shop. I break down these shopping trips to help you in stretching your dollars. Keep learning and saving while using time wisely. Happy stretching!
Question: Just for fun, on what else could I have spent my quarter? 🙂